Pat McCrory, the North Carolina governor, declared a state of emergency and said the National Guard and state highway patrol troopers would be deployed.

The latest trouble began with a peaceful rally that turned violent after several hundred chanting demonstrators marched through downtown with brief stops at a black church, police headquarters and a large entertainment venue called the EpiCentre.

Protestors chant 'Black Lives Matter' during second night of unrest in Charlotte

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As they approached downtown Charlotte's central intersection, protesters confronted a column of patrol cars and officers in front of the Omni Charlotte Hotel and began to surround groups of police and their vehicles.

Police then unleashed volleys of rubber bullets, pepper spray, tear gas and flash-bang grenades to disperse the protesters, who began hurling fireworks and debris at officers outside the hotel. Four police officers were injured in the fighting.

Officials said the injured protester was shot by a civilian, not police. The person was initially reported as having died but officials later said they were on life support.

"It was confirmed not to be a police officer," Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts told CNN, referring to the shooter.

Protesters smashed windows and glass doors at a Hyatt hotel, whose manager said two employees were punched. The slogan "Black Lives Matter" was spray-painted on windows.

A demonstrator reacts as residents and activists protest after the death of Keith ScottCredit:
Getty

Demonstrators were also seen looting a convenience store after smashing its windows and a shop that sells athletic wear for fans of Charlotte's National Basketball League team, the Hornets. Others set fire to trash cans.

Some protesters expressed anger at the widespread lawlessness exhibited by fellow demonstrators. One woman was heard shouting, "Stop - that's not what this is about," as young men broke bottles in the street.

Sixteen officers were injured the night before as police in riot gear clashed with demonstrators who hurled stones, set fires and briefly blocked an interstate highway.

The flashpoint for Charlotte's unrest was Tuesday's fatal police shooting of Keith Scott. Widely differing accounts of the 43-year-old's death have emerged. Police said Mr Scott was armed and ignoring officers' orders when he was gunned down, while the victim's family and a witness said he was holding a book, not a weapon.

Authorities have not released any video of the incident but the city's mayor said they plan to do so.

Four officers injured

Gun debate

The shooting of Keith Scott has revived the debate about when police can and can't use their guns. As tensions rose in Charlotte overnight, these protesters engaged police officers in a conversation about when they should deploy their firearms.

Man drives into crowd and draws gun

Remarkable footage has emerged showing a man driving into a crowd of protesters and drawing a gun while in the car. No shots were apparently fired but the sight caused a commotion amongst the gathered demonstrators.

'Not the American way'

Governor Pat McCrory has been discussing his decision to declare a state of emergency and activate the National Guard and Highway Patrol officers. He told CNN:

"We cannot tolerate violence. We cannot tolerate the destruction of property and will not tolerate the attacks towards our police officers that are occurring right now, and I feel very strongly about that. That is not the American way."

'Seven police officer injured'

The emergency medical service in Charlotte says it has taken eight patients - seven law-enforcement officers and one civilian - to area hospitals during protests over the police shooting of a black man.

Witnesses describe protest shooting

A Charlotte resident, who gave his name only as Howard, told Reuters that the man shot on Wednesday night was standing directly in front of him.

"My first thought was it was non-lethal because police were shooting rubber bullets," he said. However, the man lay on the ground motionless for a couple of minutes before someone rolled him over and blood was coming from his head, the witness said.

Black Lives Matter protests

Shooter was not police officer, mayor says

Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts has confirmed that it was not a police officer who shot dead the protesters. She said the victim was taken to the hospital, but did not provide a name or other details.

"It was confirmed not to be a police officer," she told CNN, referring to the shooter. "We're going to continue to try to get more of an update."

An AFP reporter at the scene of the protests outside the Omni Charlotte hotel saw a man who was apparently shot falling to the ground, bleeding heavily. Witnesses said police brought him into the hotel.

Governor says violence will not be tolerated

North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory has issued a statement, warning that violence against police will not be tolerated.

I want to assure the people of North Carolina that our SBI [State Bureau of Investigation] has already been assisting the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department throughout the last 24 hours.

Upon a very recent request of Chief Putney, the State Highway Patrol is sending in troopers to further help the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department. The state has many additional assets nearby to assist.

Any violence directed toward our citizens or police officers or destruction of property should not be tolerated. I support and commend the law enforcement officials for their bravery and courage during this difficult situation.

State Highway Patrol is sending in troopers to further help the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department. Additional state resources nearby.

How violence flared

The latest trouble began with a peaceful rally that turned violent after several hundred demonstrators marched through downtown with brief stops at a black church, police headquarters and a large entertainment venue called the EpiCentre, Reuters reports.

As they approached downtown Charlotte's central intersection, protesters confronted a column of patrol cars and officers lining the road about a block from the Omni Charlotte Hotel, and began to surround groups of police and their vehicles.

At that point, police unleashed volleys of rubber bullets, tear gas and flash-bang grenades to disperse the protesters, who began hurling fireworks and debris at officers outside the hotel.

Protesters were also seen looting a convenience store after smashing its windows.